The visit to this Atkondanathar temple at Iraniyur near Tirupattur was a part of
structural and Rock Cut cave Shiva and
Vishnu temples visit in Tiruchirappalli, Pudukottai and Sivaganga Districts, on
21st November 2021. This is one of the 9 Shiva temples constructed
by Nattukkottai Nagarathars, after they shifted from Thiruvarur and about 3800
families belongs to this temple. Moolavar : Sri
AtkondanatharConsort : Sri
Sivapuradevi.
Some of the salient features of this temple are…The temple is facing east with Ashta Lakshmi Mukha mandapam. Stucco
images of Vinayagar, Lord Shiva with Parvati as Rishabaroodar and Murugan are
on the mukha mandapam parapet wall. The Rajagopurams on the east side and South
side are 5 Tiers. Moolavar is of swayambhu. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and
Rishabam / Idabam are in maha mandapam in front of ardha mandapam. Utsavars and
Natarajar are in ardha mandapam. Dwarapalakas are infront of the ardha
mandapam. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy is on pedestal supported by 4 lions, Lingothbavar
and Durgai.
Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south with 2 hands in
bhaya varada hastam. Bhairavar is also in a separate sannidhi adjacent to Ambal
Sannidhi. In praharam Natarajar, Suryan, Chandran, Navagrahas, Somaskandar,
Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar / Murugan ( all the three are in
sitting posture on Peacock vahanam), Gajalakshmi and Chandikeswarar.
Kali, Vayu, Rathi and ManmathanKalyana sundarar, Varunan and Maha vishnu & NarasimharMurugan, Manickavasagar, Indran and TripurantagarVenkadamudayan, Agni, Durvasar and Narthana Vinayagar
ARCHITECTUREThe temple complex consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala,
ardha mandapam, Maha mandapam and a Mukha mandapam. Ashta Lakshmi sculptures
are in the Mukha mandapam in front of Rajagopuram. Ashtalakshmi Sculptures are
on the pillars. The Mukha mandapam ceilings are painted with floral designs,
Lord Shiva, Parvati, 12 rasis etc,. The maha mandapam pillars are with exquisitely carved more
than 200 big sculptures which includes, Nava Durgai, Murugan, Vinayagar,
Pickshadanar, Veerabhadrar,
Rishabaroodar, Thiripurantagar, Lord Shiva with Parvati’s marriage,
Ardhanareeswarar, Brahmi, Saraswati, Kalasamharamurthy ( the veins on the legs
are carved very beautifully ), Mahishamardhini, on the Rajagopuram Hiranya Kashibhu vadham by
Narasimhar. On the Rajagopuram base front side has the bas reliefs of Vinayagar,
Murugan /Subramaniyar as mayil vahanar, Manickavasagar, Indran,
Thirupurantakar, Maha Vishnu, Agni, Dhurvasar
and Narthana Vinayagar,
A stone pipe arrangement was made on both sides of Sanctum
sanctorum to drain out the rain water from the roof. The interconnecting beams
of the pillars has floral designs, which includes Mahatma Gandhi, Rattai etc,.
The sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam are
in a raised level of about 3 feet from the praharam level. The sanctum sanctorum is on a padabandha
adhitanam with Jagathi, Threepatta Kumuda and Pattigai on an Upanam with lotus petals and kapotham.
A 3 tier stucco vimana is over the sanctum sanctorum. Provision has been made
in the ardha mandapam to view Various levels from Shiva & Parvati, Kalasam
of Moolavar vimanam along with Lord Shiva’s darshan.
Ardhanareesawarar as Rishabanthigar and DurgaiDurgai & Shiva & Parvati Marriage
Veerabhadra & Pichadanar
Ashtalakshmi Mandapam
Stone pipe for rainwater disposal
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSAs per the temple web site this Iraniyur temple was handed
over to Nattukottai Nagarathars in the year 714 CE. Hence the original temple
belongs to 8th century.
This temple belongs to 3800 families resides in 34 Villages
of Sivagangai District. As per Nattukottai Nagarathar’s history, 502 families
lived in Kaviripoompattinam east street, accepted Pandya King’s request and
settled at Ilayathangudi. During 7th Century, in that 502 families,
two brothers came to this place renovated and expanded Sri Atkondanathar temple.
LEGENDSThis is one of the ashta Bhairava Kshethram and Bhairavar is Kala
Bhairavar, Vinayagar is Viththaka Vinayagar. Kubera and Vayu Bhagwan appeared on a horse
vahana and worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.
To get rid of the sin caused due to killing of Hiranyakasibhu,
Maha Vishu Came to this temple and worshiped, hence this place obtained the
name of Iraniyur. Since Lord Shiva, blessed Lord Maha Vishnu and relieved from
the sin, Lord Shiva is called as Atkondanathar.
When Maha Vishnu took the Narsimha avatar / incarnation in a furious
form, Ambica, the sister of Maha Vishnu also took 9 furious forms as Nava
Durgai. The same is sculptured on the pillars of maha mandapam. Students pray Kala Bhairavar for achieving high ranks in
studies.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSApart from Regular poojas special poojas are conducted on
Pradosham, Kubera Poojas, Thirukarthigai ( November – December ), Kandar
Sashti, Thiruvathirai in Markazhi ( December – January ), Maha shivaratri (
February – March ), Masi magam star Day in the months ( February - March ) are
celebrated in a grand manner.
Due to presence of Kala samhara moorthy , People celebrate
their 60th birthdays ( Sashtiyapthapoorthi ) and 80th
birthdays ( sathabishekam ), Kanakabhishekam, Bhimaratha Shanthi, Ayush Homam, Kanakabhishekam,
in this temple.
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs
to 16.30 hrs to 19.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILSThe land line and mobile numbers of Viduthi + 914577
265645 +9198424809309, Manager +91
97506 36636 and +91 9443947997 and Mani Gurukkal +91 909521840.. may be
contacted for further details.. The
Official website http://www.iranikovil.org/about-us.php
HOW TO REACHThe
temple at Iraniyur is about 14 KM from Tirupattur, 18 KM from Thirumayam, 26 KM from Karaikudi, 86 KM from Tiruchirappalli and 412 KM from
Chennai.Nearest
Railway Station is Karaikudi.
LOCATION OF
THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
---OM
SHIVAYA NAMA---
Kali, Vayu, Rathi and Manmathan
Kalyana sundarar, Varunan and Maha vishnu & Narasimhar
Murugan, Manickavasagar, Indran and Tripurantagar
Venkadamudayan, Agni, Durvasar and Narthana Vinayagar
Ardhanareesawarar as Rishabanthigar and Durgai
Durgai & Shiva & Parvati Marriage
Veerabhadra & Pichadanar
Ashtalakshmi Mandapam
Stone pipe for rainwater disposal
இரணியூர் ஆட்கொண்டநாதர் கோயிலுக்கு இதுவரை சென்றதில்லை. இப்பதிவு அங்கு செல்லும் ஆவலைத் தூண்டியது. So far I had not been to Iraniyur Iranikkovil. This article induced me to go there.
ReplyDeleteஆமாம் ஐயா.. ஒரு சிற்ப களஞ்சியம் என்று சொல்லும் அளவிற்கு துர்கை மற்றும் அஷ்ட லக்ஷ்மி, மற்றும் சிவனின் அவதார சிற்பங்கள்... ஒருமுறையேனும் பார்க்க வேண்டிய கோயில்
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